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VSA arts and Special Olympics were so taken with Drumright's award-winning photo "Night Snowfall" that both organizations will be using it for their 2004 holiday greeting card. [All photos © Matthew Drumright, all rights reserved] |
Matthew Drumright has won multiple medals in eight Special Olympics sports and competed in two Special Olympics World Games. Now he's showing a talent of a different sort: His photograph, "Night Snowfall," recently received an Award of Excellence in "Driving Force," a national (United States) juried exhibit for young artists with disabilities sponsored by VSA arts and Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Drumright's work, along with that of the other 15 finalists in the exhibit, was shown in the S. Dillon Ripley Center at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., through 29 November. The exhibit will then tour the United States (next stop: The Yager Museum in Oneonta, New York, 10 January through 25 March 2005), ensuring that people across the country will have the opportunity to appreciate the outstanding gifts of these artists, ages 16-25.
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Matthew Drumright, photographer and Special Olympics Tennessee athlete. [Image courtesy Drumright family] |
Drumright, 21, of Brentwood, Tennessee (USA), began taking pictures at age 10 and took two photography classes during high school. His love for photography has fueled an intense desire to become a professional photographer. "Some people don't think I am a real photographer because I have Down syndrome," said Drumright. "I like making people happy with my pictures and want to make a living and support myself with my photography. The art program in high school helped me find something I love to do that may help me be a productive part of my community."
Drumright works as an intern for Michael Gomez Photography in Nashville, Tennessee. He assists with the studio set-up, prepares lighting for portraits and practices studio shots of models such as musicians and artists. He is learning computer editing and participates in on site location shots with other photographers. In addition, Drumright has set up a studio in his home and often stages photography sessions for family, friends and classmates.
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"Jason" by Matthew Drumright, who enjoys taking photos of his fellow Special Olympics athletes during practice and events. |
A Special Olympics athlete since 1991, Drumright currently competes in aquatics, athletics, basketball, bowling, golf and power lifting and often takes photographs during practices and competitions. He has won multiple medals at state-level competitions in all his current sports, as well as gymnastics and equestrian. He won three gold medals in gymnastics at the 1995 Special Olympics World Summer Games in New Haven, Connecticut, and a silver medal in equestrian at the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games in the Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill) in North Carolina.
In addition, Drumright is a Global Messenger for Special Olympics Tennessee, giving speeches around the state about the movement, its mission and the benefits he has gained by participating in Special Olympics. (Matthew isn't the only Drumright involved with Special Olympics. His mother, Joanne, is Senior Regional Director for Special Olympics Tennessee.)
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"Sunflower" by Matthew Drumright, who captured incredible detail — including a visiting bee — in a stunning example of his nature photography. |
The "Driving Force" exhibit marks the third consecutive year that VSA arts and Volkswagen of America, Inc. have partnered to recognize and showcase young artists with disabilities. More than 20,000 call-for-entries packets were sent to high schools and colleges around the United States, inviting submissions by young artists, ages 16-25 with disabilities, to illustrate the theme "Driving Force." Participants were asked to contemplate the motivation behind their art, and the inspirations that guide their creative process.
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"Butterfly" by Matthew Drumright. In addition to photographing Special Olympics athletes, Drumright is popular with his high school classmates for taking casual and posed photographs at school events. |
The 15 finalists were selected from a national pool of 142 submissions by a jury panel that included William Newman, artist and professor, Corcoran School of Art, and Grady Turner, art critic and curator. The panel knew nothing about the artists' disabilities; they were judged solely on artistic ability.
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"Blue Moon" by Matthew Drumright. The contest "identified an extraordinary group of emerging artists," said Soula Antoniou, President, VSA arts. "These young men and women are truly the promising minds and talents of the future, and will be serious contributors to our nation's culture... We also thank the parents, mentors, and artists who guide their skills and provide critical support." |
Sunaura Taylor of Athens, Georgia, received the Grand Prize for her self-portrait. She was inspired to begin painting by her mother, also a painter, and was home-schooled during her childhood education.
Other exhibit finalists were: Isaac Powell, First Award (Texas – age 24), Noelle Nevolo, Second Award (New Jersey – age 24). Award of Excellence finalists: Matthew Drumright (Tennessee – age 21), Katie Skipper (Alabama – age 23), Katie Miller (Maryland – age 20), Mame N'Diaye (Virginia – age 23), Bryan Guglielimi (New York – age 19), Sivorak Mom (California – age 16), Timothy Kadish (Massachusetts – age 23), Jennifer Gill (Indiana – age 18), David Grigorian, (Colorado – age 23), Emily McCulley (Kansas – age 16), Chris Hodge (Indiana – age 21), and Victor Hsieh (California – age 24).
"This annual program clearly illustrates the impact our work has on our constituents in a meaningful way," commented Soula Antoniou, President, VSA arts.
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"Line Up" by Matthew Drumright. |
"The more emerging artists with disabilities are encouraged to develop their talents, the more our society will become the rich, vibrant one that we all want to live in," said Antoniou.
"As a company that values diversity and inclusion, we look for ways to highlight the extraordinary creativity and talents of young Americans with disabilities," said Steve Keyes, Director of Corporate Communications for Volkswagen of America. "We were fortunate to find a wonderful partner in VSA arts."
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"Thumbs Up" by Matthew Drumright. |
VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith. VSA arts is creating a society where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts. Nearly 5 million people with disabilities participate in VSA arts programs every year through a network of affiliates nationwide and in over 60 countries worldwide. |
